Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 348 - 184: Court Situation

"In recent years, the Holy Emperor has been rather fond of the Eldest Prince!" Liang Zhirui also understood why Gu Chengyu asked this.

This involves the dispute over the succession, especially since the Holy Emperor has yet to establish a Crown Prince.

In previous court meetings, civil and military officials would argue endlessly about it, the Holy Emperor would either remain silent or leave in a huff. To this day, only a few fearless officials would dare to bring it up again.

"And before?" Gu Chengyu caught the implied meaning in his teacher’s words; the Eldest Prince was born of a Noble Consort, so while he was the eldest, he wasn’t of legitimate birth.

The Second Prince born of the Empress was legitimate, but he was not the eldest. This was bound to be a struggle like dragons fighting tigers, not to mention the Third Prince watching like a hawk on the side.

"It’s hard to say." Liang Zhirui felt that it was pretty much the same before, at that time the Holy Emperor’s health wasn’t so poor, and he treated his sons fairly equally.

Gu Chengyu understood his teacher’s nature, this meant that they were more or less treated equally.

However, he then remembered the Fourth Prince, "How is the Holy Emperor toward the Fourth Prince?"

Logically, this son, having distanced himself from the fight for the throne and having lost his mother, and with poor health, should receive more love.

Liang Zhirui’s expression was somewhat strange, "The Fourth Prince has already been granted the title of Prince Jing and has established a Prince Mansion not far from the Imperial Palace."

Gu Chengyu was extremely surprised, being titled as a Prince so early? Does this mean they want him to give up his future hopes early? Does it mean he is cut off from the throne?

However, he became puzzled, "Since he was granted a princely title, why hasn’t he been given a fief?"

"He was granted the title three years ago, but the Holy Emperor has been delaying the Fourth Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony, so he hasn’t gone to the fief. When asked by the ministers, the Holy Emperor said it’s fine to wait until he’s twenty."

Liang Zhirui felt the Holy Emperor’s thoughts were becoming harder and harder to predict. If he wanted the Fourth Prince to be a leisurely prince, yet he didn’t want to hold an early coming-of-age ceremony for him. However, as for favoritism, it wasn’t there either.

During his reign, he often strolled in the palace and had encountered the Fourth Prince several times. The Holy Emperor was very indifferent toward the Fourth Prince, even when the Fourth Prince went to pay his respects, he had to wait outside for a long time.

At that time, he could only think that the Holy Emperor disliked the Fourth Prince’s birth mother.

"Is he living in the Prince Mansion now?" Once a prince comes of age, he cannot live in the palace, the Emperor will build a Prince Mansion outside the Imperial Palace. However, that is usually for princes who have come of age but have not yet been granted a title.

For someone like the Fourth Prince, who has already been granted a title but not a coming-of-age ceremony or a fief, this is very rare.

Could the Holy Emperor dislike his son so much that he wouldn’t even give him a fief? That should be impossible. If he really disliked him, why not give him a remote fief and have him moved away to avoid being an eyesore?

"When did the other princes have their coming-of-age ceremonies?" Gu Chengyu could only search for useful information in his teacher’s words. He had not yet arrived in the Capital and had no contact with these people, so he naturally couldn’t comprehend the Holy Emperor’s deeper intentions.

All this was something he needed to understand in the future. After all, passing the Advanced Scholar exam shouldn’t be too difficult for him.

"The other princes had their coming-of-age ceremonies at fifteen, regardless of whether it was the Royal Family or an aristocratic family, they would have their children come of age early to take on official duties sooner."

Gu Chengyu understood this; in the Dayan Dynasty, fifteen was old enough to marry. In farming families, it’s considered labor, and early ceremonies for aristocratic and royal children mean they can take on responsibilities sooner.

However, this action of the Holy Emperor then becomes somewhat intriguing.

"Currently within the palace, Consort Xian is most favored, and the Holy Emperor is also respectful toward the Empress." Liang Zhirui continued to explain the dynamics within the harem to Gu Chengyu.

Since it involved the harem, Liang Zhirui couldn’t possibly know too much, he only conveyed a few objective observations based on court perspectives, without presenting any subjective conjectures.

Gu Chengyu knew that his teacher was afraid that his own views might influence his judgment.

Whether it was matters of the court or the harem, Liang Zhirui only spoke about what was plainly visible, as for any additional analysis, it was minimal.

"Then what does the teacher think of Mr. Hu on the ship? Does he have any clues?"

Liang Zhirui pondered for a moment, then said, "Speaking of officials named Hu in the court, I know of several. However, the most likely candidate to be sent by the Holy Emperor for an investigation is Left Deputy Imperial Censor Hu Maoqing, describe his appearance in detail."

Actually, Liang Zhirui thought that if it were truly an Inspection Envoy, it would usually be an official from the Inspectorate.

Hu Maoqing is a third-rank official in the Inspectorate, if he was sent, it shows the Holy Emperor’s importance to this matter, or perhaps the Holy Emperor is no longer willing to tolerate that person?

The Capital, maybe it’s about to change dramatically!

Gu Chengyu described Hu Maoqing’s physical characteristics, and Liang Zhirui nodded as he listened, confirming that this man was indeed Hu Maoqing.

"It’s fortunate you weren’t involved, this matter is a thankless task. With your meager skills, it’s more important to ensure your own safety!"

Gu Chengyu hadn’t clearly spoken of his abilities, so naturally, Liang Zhirui did not believe him.

"Alright! We’ve talked for over an hour! Are you staying for the meal today or going back?"

It was already 7:15 AM, and his granddaughter had come to the mansion, he hadn’t seen her yet, today he had already taken leave from the Prefecture School to stay at home waiting for Gu Chengyu and Yao Mengxian.

Gu Chengyu knew his teacher was eager to see his granddaughter, so he also planned to take his leave. After so many years of not seeing each other, he would leave them some space to reminisce; his presence would inevitably be a hindrance.

"I should head back early, lest my parents worry at home. After saying goodbye to the teacher’s wife, I’ll return."

"Very well! I won’t make you stay today, come to the Prefecture in a few days, and we shall talk again, you and I both go to the inner courtyard first."

Gu Chengyu noticed Liang Zhirui was already restless, so he didn’t delay, quickly responding affirmatively.

Meanwhile, Yao Mengxian, following a maid, entered through the Hanging Flower Gate through the inner courtyard. Then she was led into the main room by a waiting maid and granny.

As soon as she entered, Yao Mengxian earnestly kowtowed three times to the elderly lady sitting at the head.

"Xianxian greets Grandmother!"

Mrs. Ning was originally sitting on a rose chair, waiting anxiously. Ever since Gu Chengyu and the others entered the mansion, the servants had reported it.

She looked left and right, finally seeing them come. As the curtain was opened, the light from outside was somewhat glaring, and before Mrs. Ning could adjust herself, a silhouette entered the house. While performing the kowtow, and calling out to Grandmother.

Once the curtain fell, she could clearly see a thin little girl of about ten kneeling at the lower end.

"Is that Xian?" Mrs. Ning could hardly believe it, her hands trembled as she held the chair, slowly standing up.

"It’s Xianxian, Grandmother!" Yao Mengxian shuffled forward on her knees, looking up at Mrs. Ning.

Mrs. Ning hurriedly stepped down to take Yao Mengxian’s hand, "Good child! Get up quickly! Why such a grand gesture?"

As Mrs. Ning looked at the little girl before her, tears fell uncontrollably from her eyes, she looked so much like her own daughter, as if carved from the same mold.